How many times in your lifetime can you say that you’re gonna have breakfast at a Former President’s house? I know presidents have multiple mansions built all over the place, but this one’s different; the Lakbay Norte 3 crew’s gonna have its first meal of the day at the seat of the Philippine Government in the North. The Malacañang of the North or Malacañang ti Amianan in Ilocano is one of the 29 summer residences built by Former Philippine President Fernando Marcos. A 60th birthday gift by his wife, Former First Lady Imelda Marcos, this is the place where the deposed president used to stay when visiting his hometown.

Built over a five-hectare land in Suba, Paoay, it overlooks the scenic blue waters of Paoay Lake. It has witnessed grand events hosted by the Marcoses during their regime; everything from simple family affairs to high society grand balls. The house is built in the traditional Bahay na Bato (Stone House) tradition; made of concrete on the ground floor and wood on the second. The grand Filipino-Spanish styled house is punctured by huge traditional capiz windows. The Malacañang of the North houses nine bedrooms and true to its grand name has not one but two living rooms and dining rooms. Everything is finished and furnished in gleaming hardwoods. The ground floor are of marble, but the second floor are all finished with shiny parquets and wide-planked hardwoods. The furnishings with a few exceptions are all antiques. At the back of the house, both floors have a terrace overlooking the panoramic view of the Paoay Lake, a favorite water skiing hangout for the Former President as story the story goes. But everything has not always as it has been. After the Marcoses were ousted from the Philippines during the People Power Revolution of 1986, the Malacañang of the North has been confiscated by the Philippine Government and has fallen in disrepair. It was only after more than two decades that it has been handed over to the local government of Ilocos Norte. And under the direction of Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, daughter of the late President, the place has been restored to its former glory and opened to the public as a museum. There has been much controversies about the Malacañang ti Amianan, and well, controversies are really nothing new when it comes to the Marcoses. But politics aside, the Malacañang of the North is one beautiful piece of our Filipino Heritage, whatever past it may have. I commend Governor Imee Marcos for breathing life into this structure. But enough of the historical babble; I came here to eat. So how many times can you say that you’re gonna eat at a former president’s house? Well, I got to say it at least once in my lifetime.